My Favorite Things

These are some of my favorite tech tools and apps. For more helpful apps, check out my App of the Week page.

Apps for the iPad

Skitch is a free app that helps you communicate visually with students, friends, co-workers, and the world. Annotate images with arrows, shapes, text, and more. Use Skitch to sketch something new, mark up maps, screen captures, or even a photo. Then, save or share your Skitch annotation to help others see and understand your ideas. This is also a download for Mac and PC.

Class Dojo is a completely free tool that makes managing classroom behavior easy and fun! If you have used it before, they recently made some great improvements. Teachers need to create a free account, enter student names and customize behavior expectations before using with their class. Dojo assigns an avatar to each student that will be displayed next to their name and behavior points. Class Dojo can be controled from a computer by accessing the website, from an iPad, iPod or iPhone by downloading the app, or on an android device. Teachers award students positive or negative points based on behavior.

i-nigma is a free QR code, data matrix and 1D barcode reader. I have found this reader to be the easiest for anyone to use. It is very forgiving in that you do not have to have the barcode centered, or even hold your device very still. It will read color or black and white codes. The app also keeps a history of the codes you have scanned, making it easy to revisit content at a later time. If you use this app with a smart phone, it will also allow you to send an SMS text message directly from the app if contact information is accessed.

Explain Everything ($2.99) is an app that allows you to import photos and PDF’s from Dropbox, Evernote, Email, or iPad cameras. You then have the ability to record on-screen drawing, annotation, movement, and audio via the iPad microphone. Completed projects can be exported and shared with teachers, students, parents, and others to foster learning.

MindMeister is a free, dynamic mapping tool, similar to Inspiration, a computer based application. Create detailed webs or maps with color coding, icons and a note feature that allows you add more detail to your we with out making it cluttered.This is a great tool to use as a whole group, or with your students individually

SlideShark is a fantastic app if you are looking for a way to present using a PowerPoint on your iPad. This powerful app has lots of features including presenter view with notes, slide annotation, broadcast and sharing capability, and a remote option. Best of all...it's free! Check out my video tutorial on how to use this in your classroom.

Web Based Tools

Share your screen instantly with any device that has a browser! There are no downloads, sign ups or installs. You just begin a new session and choose if you would like to show your entire screen or part of your screen. A code will appear on your screen. Then, whomever you would like to share your screen goes to http://www.screenleap.com/ and enters your code. Now they can see your screen!

Plickers are everything you love about clickers, but is 100% free and very user friendly.

Do you use Dropbox, iCloud or Google Drive? SkyDrive is a superior option to other cloud storage. SkyDrive offers 7GB of free storage with expanded space at a minimal cost. SkyDrive is the most versatile cloud storage available because it is cross platform compatible, live simultaneous multiple user editing, and version tracking. You can download it for Mac, PC and get their app for iOS, Android, and Windows phones. Sign up and download it today!

Have you ever wished you could record your lessons? Want to post homework help for your students to view at home? Want to flip your classroom? Try Screenr! Screenr is an online, free screen recording tool. You just open your web browser, click to record and it will capture your screen and voice. Screen casts may be viewed on any device!

Skitch is a free application that helps you communicate visually with students, friends, co-workers, and the world. Annotate images with arrows, shapes, text, and more. Use Skitch to sketch something new, mark up maps, screen captures, or even a photo. Then, save or share your Skitch annotation to help others see and understand your ideas. This is a download for Mac and PC, and also has apps available for download for iOS and Android.

Dropbox is a free cloud storage option. Dropbox allows you to save your documents and pictures so they are accessible on any device with an internet connection. You can also download Dropbox to your computer which makes it even easier to use. Dropbox also has an iPad and Android app. Dropbox is also a great way to share documents collaboratively. You can share folders with other users making it easy for multiple people to have access to the same information. Dropbox gives you 2 GB of free space when you sign up and ways to earn more space as you use it. You can also choose to pay for extra space.

Blendspace, formerly known as Edcanvas, is a fantastic tool for teachers interested in using blended learning in their classrooms. Blendspace allows you to collect web resources in one place and access them with just one click. You can also assess student learning with the built-in quiz feature. Blendspace also allows you to track student progress and respond to needs on the spot. Blendspace is free, but also has premium features you can subscribe to for a minimal fee.

Accessories and Hardware

This i-BLASON case is perfect for the iPad mini. It protects and secures your mini while still being functional. this case will hold your iPad in the upright, landscape position, lay flat, or at a 30 degree angle. My favorite thing about this case is the strap on the back. The strap allows you to slip your hand through and use your iPad while walking around the room with out the worry of dropping it. One feature I wish this cover had is the ability to swivel from landscape to portrait.

This iPad stand is perfect if you want to use your iPad as a document camera. This stand clamps on the edge of your desk or table. The flexible goose neck allows you to manipulate it for what suits your lesson best! The adjustable clamps can be sized to accommodate your iPad or iPad mini without removing your case.

The Bamboo Stylus is great for those who prefer to use a stylus rather than their hands, or for more precise tasks like writing notes. I like this particular stylus because it is heavier than most, has a smooth glide and is a little more narrow than some others I have tried. The Bamboo Stylus goes for about $20 on Amazon.com.